Freebie Friday #15: I’m So Glad to Live in a World Where There Are Octobers

October, if you didn’t know, is the month of books. No, it’s not a monthly awareness campaign, nor is it some sort of holiday, but it is a big part of marketing strategies brought on by book companies–Prestige Book Season. This month and November are packed with new releases, so much that a book lover could go broke attempting to purchase every hardcover that hits the shelves.

But even with all the new releases, fall is still a great time to pick up old favorites. Whether you’re reading Harry Potter and his many tales for the millionth time, or prefer the taste of a classic like Pride and Prejudice to fill your fancy, no one can deny that reading on a chilly fall day, wrapped up in a blanket is basically heaven on earth!

I’m So Glad to Live in a World Where There Are Octobers

Now, I’ve got to admit: Anne of Green Gables, while the inspiration for today’s freebie, is not one of my favorite book series. I just recently attempted to pick it back up and give Anne’s eight book story a try again, but I’m just not as in love with it as others are. That’s not to say it’s not a great series, it’s just not my cup of tea. I do enjoy the several media adaptations of it, but for some reason I struggle with the books.

However, there is one thing I’ll admit, and that’s that Anne is full of beautiful verbiage. L.M. Montgomery utilizes her titular character’s childlike wonder and clever mind to word some fantastical observations about the world around her. One of the most well-loved lines is from chapter sixteen in the first book:

“Oh, Marilla,” she exclaimed one Saturday morning, coming dancing in with her arms full of gorgeous boughs, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn’t it?”

It’s these lines of prose that has allowed me to get through Anne’s tale with a sense of fulfillment. Again, I’m not the biggest fan of the series. As much as I love the idea of the web-like effect one person can have on others, and I do so love Anne’s flawed yet strong character, for some reason the books have always been a slow read for me.

Yet, that doesn’t relinquish the effect of the beauty of lines such as, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” Hopefully you feel the same. Happy Freebie Friday!